Michigan Test for Teacher Certification (MTTC) Secondary Integrated Science Practice test

Laterites are most commonly formed in which type of climate?

1. Dry and temperate

2. Humid and temperate

3. Wet and tropical

4. Cold and arid

The correct answer is: Wet and tropical

Laterites are primarily formed in wet and tropical climates due to the intense weathering processes that occur in these environments. In regions with high rainfall and warm temperatures, processes such as leaching can strip away soluble minerals, while the constant presence of moisture accelerates the breakdown of parent rock material. The result is a soil rich in iron and aluminum oxides, which are characteristic of laterite formation. The combination of high humidity, warmth, and abundant precipitation provides the ideal conditions for organic matter decomposition and soil mineral transformations that define laterites. In contrast, dry and temperate, humid and temperate, and cold and arid climates do not have the combination of temperature and moisture necessary for the specific weathering processes that produce laterites. Each of these climates has unique soil formation processes that lead to different soil types.